My Daily Beauty Routine - The Products I Can't Do Without

The things we do to look pretty - right?!? My daily makeup routine is a full 11 steps - so I guess it's pretty obvious now that I did not wake up like this. Then again - who honestly does? Don't worry though, despite the abundance of products the full routine only takes me about 7 mins. I change it up depending on the seasons. Winter requires the most makeup for me because my skin gets really dry and summer the least. These are my winter products (many of which I use year round). OK...now to break it down step by step and tell you why these products are amazing!

① Josie Maran Aragan Oil: This stuff is amazing. I'm utterly obsessed with it! It's the first thing I put on my face in the morning and it helps my skin look fresh & moisturized all day long. A little goes a long way - you really only need a dropper full each time. I squirt it into my palm and once I massage fingertips of it into my face - I rub my hands together with the excess and run them over the flyways and ends of my hair. Jack of all trades this oil!

② Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Radiance Boosting Primer: I love the way this feels on my skin. When I apply it has a cooling and calming effect on my skin. I believe it is so helpful with maintaining moisture and helping to create the right foundation for my makeup.

③ Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: So I might be going a bit overboard on the primers but I just love both of them! This one is so great for when you are taking pictures. I stumbled upon it when looking for makeup for my wedding day. So I've been using this for over 12 years. Still completely love it. It creates a smooth finish to your skin the moment you apply it. I also attribute it to making my makeup last throughout the day.

④ MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation: I tend to change up my foundation frequently but this one is so perfect for my winter skin. It provides a thick coverage and does a great job of hiding the red tint my skin loves to have in the colder months. The built in 15 SPF is an added bonus. You don't need much of this to get the job done. I tend to apply a little extra to my cheeks - redness central - and let it sit for a while before rubbing in. The coverage is impressive. In fact I skip concealer when I wear this foundation.

⑤ Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer: I received this as a sample size in a birchbox and was instantly hooked. I love the matte color and the shade is perfect for my skin tone. I use this year round! I apply it with my best attempt at contouring. Under my cheekbones, along my jawline, around the edges of my face. It creates a slimming effect that I so appreciate!!

⑥ BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette: This is incredible if you like a shimmering highlight to your look. It creates amazing cheekbones. I like all the colors in the palette but this time of year I really only use the Champagne Pop. You can buy just that color separately for much cheaper than the full palette. I run it over my cheekbones - you don't need much at all, just one quick brush stroke.

⑦ Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette: I found this at Nordstrom Rack and decided to give it a try. I like very natural, subtle eye shadow for my daily routine. The palette has some bold options included but the neutrals are so pretty. I put Blonde all over my lid and then use Anaheim in the corners. When I want a more bold look Zone + Serious make a great smoky lid. Also love to combine Bathwater + Baby + Steady to get a shimmering eye.

⑧ NYX Sculpt & Highlight Brow Contour: I have the vanilla shade. I'm not great with brows but I'm definitely trying to up my game. This dual sided pencil makes it pretty easy. You shade in your brows with the brown and then use the highlight just underneath to perfect the look. Its super quick and so affordable.

⑨ Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara: I have eyelash extensions and I love them! I still like to add a little dark lux to my lashes though and so I use this mascara on just the ends of my lashes. Prior to getting eyelash extensions this was the best mascara I had ever used and I still love it! It doesn't get clumpy or run but still gives length & thickness to your lashes.

⑩ L'oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Balm in Pink Satin:  This is so moisturizing and glides on smooth. It has a subtle shine and works great for my natural look. I love it during the winter because my lips tend to chap easily and this functions just like chapstick - only with some shimmer.

⑪ Too Faced Lip Injection Power Pumping Gloss: Let me warn you - this stuff will make your lips feel like they are burning when you first apply. It's a weird almost peppery sensation. I assume this is what helps make them look plumper. Does it work? I think it gives mine a little boost - nothing crazy obvious. I really just like the shine and non sticky feel of it. It seems to last for a good while too! Don't worry - the tingling sensation fades quickly.

So thats my daily winter face routine in a nutshell. Do you have any products you swear by? I would love to hear about them! I'm obsessed with finding new beauty tools to up my game. Do you use any of my favorites? What are your thoughts about them?